Notebook: Former Syracuse star Tim Desko signs with STX

As part of the agreement, Desko will appear in marketing materials, help with product testing and development, and act as a team sales liaison. Additionally, Desko will play for Team STX in LXM Pro, a lacrosse tour sponsored by STX, with stars such as Kyle Harrison (Friends, Johns Hopkins) and Sam Bradman (Salisbury).

I am grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given and look forward to working with the best," Desko said. "It is a great opportunity to be able to continue my lacrosse career playing with some of the best players in the world in the LXM Pro. To be able to play against former Syracuse greats and have guys like Kyle Harrison and Sam Bradman as teammates is very exciting. This is a great way to start out the new year.”

Desko finished his senior season at Syracuse as the third-leading scorer and ended his career with 85 total points. The Syracuse, N.Y., native was named to the Big East honor roll his senior year after scoring a game-winning goal for the Orange against St. John's. However, Desko is best known for his numerous appearances on ESPN’s "SportCenter" Top 10 highlight reels with behind-the-back goals and scoring between his legs against Princeton and Virginia. Desko was recently drafted third overall in the Major League Lacrosse supplemental draft by the Charlotte Hounds but decided to play with Team STX instead.

Carcaterra, Marr to team up

United Lacrosse directors Steve Carcaterra, a three-year starter at attack for Towson University, and Ric Beardsley have entered into a partnership with University of Albany coach Scott Marr and his Top Dog Lacrosse club. Marr was an attackman on the 1987 Johns Hopkins national championship team before serving as an assistant coach under Dick Edell at Maryland for six years. Carcaterra, Beardsley and Marr are all Yorktown, N.Y., natives.

United Lacrosse and Top Dog Lacrosse will hold tryouts for Team United Albany. This summer, Team United New Jersey, Team United New York and Team United Albany will compete in four summer tournaments.

"This is one of those full-circle moments for us," Carcaterra said. "Growing up, Ric and I looked up to Scotty as a mentor and coach. To be joining him in an effort to bring the Team United philosophy and guidance to players in the Albany area is a great honor, and we are very fired up to get to work."

Players from all towns and programs in the Albany area are encouraged to attend the Team United Albany Tryouts on Jan. 21.

Turtles beat Baltimore Breakers on way to U-13 national title

The Turtles, a member of Long Island Express, repeated as the under-13 champions of the the Dick's Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions in Tampa, Fla., on New Year's Eve. The Turtles' road to the finals vs. Denver Elite included wins over Brothers of War from Alabama, Akwesasne Attack from northern New York, Palm Beach Storm and Stampede LC from Florida and the Baltimore Breakers of Maryland.

The U-13 bracket consisted of 27 teams from more than 13 states throughout the country and Canada. Each team had to earn the opportunity to compete for the national championship by winning a qualifying tournament last summer.